Friday, December 18, 2009

Family Party Coming Up...!

First of all, the family Christmas get-together is Saturday. That means that a lot more people will be at Mom's house than usual. Almost a crowd...and you know how I feel about crowds!

However there is an up side to the party this weekend...it officially marks the end of my Christmas celebration! Even though the widely recognized day is a little bit off, once the family get-together is over, I'm done.

The only reason I go through all the decorating and gathering and cooking and all the rest...is because of my Mother! Her house is the location of the party. Her house is the one we decorated. Her house is the one with the Christmas tree. She really likes this season, and looks forward to having the family all together, little ones running around in an extreme state of excitement, and all the grown ups talking at the same time!

At my house, there are no decorations up. There is no tree. There is never a lot of folks gathered there. Pretty much a lot of peace and quiet...and believe me, I like the peace and quiet!

Now, before you get to thinking that I'm just a mean old scrooge, let me tell you why I feel that way, OK?

I spend over 20 years of my working life in retail, having to listen to Christmas music from the day after Halloween until Christmas. When I was married and had kids around, I could still get into the mood for decorating, for the wrapping, almost could deal with the music! However, after I became single again...it didn't seem to make a lot of sense to go through through the activities found mainly around families.

Add to that the fact that my Father died in his long haul truck a long time ago...on Christmas eve. The fact that of the 4 times I've been in the hospital, 3 of them were at Christmas time, and the fact that, being single, I used to volunteer to work on the holidays so that the guys with families could spend time with them. I most always lived away from family, so it was just me and the critters.

I still enjoy a little holiday magic, but it's my own version. After saying "Happy Birthday" to the Lord...I'll spend the rest of the day just enjoying the peace and quiet, sharing some good food with the critters (they eat mine, not the other way around) I'll probably read and maybe listen to some good music. NOT the Christmas kind...maybe some classical or big bands!

On a separate note...the nephew came by early Thursday morning to say good-bye! He is off on the next big adventure in his life! I wish him all the best and do envy him for at least getting out of Houston. I hope it won't be that much longer for me, but now just isn't the time! I'm hoping that things hold together long enough in the world, for me to reach the point where I can see the big city in my rear view mirror...and wave good bye for good!

However, life moves at it's own pace! We can't change it, we can't fight it, we can only go with the flow and continue to prepare for all the surprises we know are just around the bend, right? Right!

Now, my friends, let's get some fresh coffee and sit in the kitchen for a bit. We'll drink a toast to the nephew and his new journey!

I have never been a big party person, much prefer my own company at christmastime to that of hordes but my other half is more the other way inclined. As long as I get to go for a long walk on christmas day to give me some space and quiet I am happy. Wishing you joy and happiness and may you find your pathway to where you want to be sooner rather than later xx

Thanks for saying all this. You are not a scrooge. I'm much the same. I don't listen to Christmas music. I have not put up a tree or any decorations. I will do a tree for the kids soon. We're not big into Christmas gifts. Instead I've been reading to the kids about the real meaning of Christmas. I like this way of celebrating much better.

I agree with Kydrynn above - how you celebrate Christmas is your business and all of us know you are far from Scrooge. It sounds like you have your reasons for subdued celebration and ain't one thing wrong with that. I'm sure baby Jesus lying in a manger did not have a lit up black velvet Elvis shining down on him either, an oil light likely being the only light there.

My house is decorated only because all the family is coming here on the 21st. Otherwise I travel to them and don't bother decorating. Christmas day will be one of peace and quiet. I may even get some sewing done.You have a peaceful day with good music (big band, yeah) and maybe a good book.And when the time is right you'll be on the road.Blessed be.

Bubba -I look forward to sharing a hug and a few moments of quiet with you, maybe some thoughts of Daddy? And I'm so glad you are there for mom, and selfishly for me, too. But I come armed with gingerbread men and cookies and jalapeno dip and chili chicken spread and chocolate and.....I cherish the times I have with you, all the more knowing that they are geeting fewer for me, but you are getting closer to realizing your dream. Hope we are not oo far behind, just heading in a different direction.

Good Morning My Special One,I understand how you feel. I love xmas but I like my quiet times too. I had hoped to be on the road to a new adventure like the nephew, but my kids had other ideas. we hadn't been getting together for a few years because of conflicts among themselves. So now they have decided to split the time one family on the eve the other 2 on the day. It makes me sad to see that they just can't end this. I wonder if they even remeber what its about.I am just greatfull it hasn't affected the kids as they all get along and have great fun together here at Nana's house. I do love the decorations and it has been busy around here with some of the grand kids showing up to decorate as they so love the big village that goes up in the spare room and all the tree decorating and the outside which has been my grandsons job for a few years now. He changes it every year. I will make the traditional suasage and peppers with onions for both days. Hmmm seems like being here for the holiday isn't such a bad thing after all. Then I will be hopefully off and on the road for at least a few days after the New Year.Wish the nephew a succefull journey to his new life.And of course I know you will get to your new life soon. In the mean time enjoy what you like and be happy. WE all here Love You.

Well, the abhorrent commercialization of Christmas is so vile to me that I refuse to participate in the way a lot of society does but I still love the season. Since, I'm usually alone on Christmas too, it can be kinda sad (and since most of my family has passed) but I am finding new ways to bring meaning to the holiday for me. I do put a tree up to celebrate the role of nature in our lives, or what should be and I make all of the gifts I give, which adds meaning to me. Now days I find it very fulfilling to reach out to all my blogger friends around the world and share this time with them, especially those of us that don't have much or any family. I wish you a happy and peaceful season, Jim!

Hey Sage...Thank you for the kind words this morning! Nothing wrong with a long walk to clear the brain fog...

I guess that when the fates decide it's time that I go, I'll be out of here!

Thanks so much for dropping in today!

Hey Kris...I believe that it's so important to make the kids understand that there is a true reason for the celebrating. What they learn now is what they will carry with them far into their adulthood!

Gets harder and harder to explain why things happen, but better they learn the truth at home...than a lie at school!

Hope you and the family have a great holiday season!

Thanks for coming over today!

Hey Anon 7:14...I often wonder if the true celebration shouldn't be in the heart, and not around the trappings of commercialism. If we can keep the real magic alive in our hearts and homes...all will be ok!

Thanks for coming by today!

Hey Momlady...Decorating for the family is a good thing...and I know they appreciate it! The time spent with family is the true blessing of the season, I think. Let's hope that we never forget how important that is!

Thanks, my thoughtful friend, for coming by today!

Hey Sis...It's always good to see you and your DH! After all, who wouldn't like having their own Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus around?

Looking forward to all the goodies and to the visit! Might be our last big one for a while, you never know!

Thanks so much for coming by today!

Hey JoJo...My special friend! I'm glad you have the family coming over for a visit...and that the grand kids are helping with the decorating!

I truly hope that your holiday are special ones, dear!

Thanks for taking the time to come visit for a bit!

Hey ER...I certainly agree that the best way to celebrate and feel good about it, is by sharing what we can with our friends scattered all over the world!

If blogging did nothing else, it allowed some of us to have an extended family!

Hey HermitIf I could have a cup of hot tea I'd love to sit for a spell and toast your nephew ... and may your Christmas time with family be wild and crazy; I like my peace and quiet too. May your time alone be filled with His presence, peace and plain and simple joy.

When it's time for you to leave Houstin you will start the next phase of your life.

I just came out of the woods. My girlfriend is in the hospital with non life threating problems. You and I are a lot alike. You will find your peace. I will be happy when it's over. I'll be back in the woods.

Dear Hermit, Memories of the family celebration will be something to treasure, especailly as the years go by. But, I surely understand being home basking in peace and quiet on Christmas day. I too don't decorate and would prefer to stay home that day, just as we did on Thanksgiving. Tomorrow I'm taking my two youngest grandkids out to lunch and then asking them to select their own gift. I treasure that time more than anything this season. May you have a healthy, blessed New Year, Treesong

About Me

I recently retired after serving my time working for other people. The one Truth I can attest to is that I don't like crowds. Not a good thing for someone living in a large city! So I am planning to move back to the country. Back to a place where I can sit on the front porch without worrying about getting mugged or shot at! Where the sounds of breeze in the trees and local wildlife replace the sounds of city strife. Where the light of the stars at night replace the streetlamps and neon. Most of all, I am going someplace where I can throw a rock and not hit my neighbor's house.